Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared himself qualified to serve as Nigeria’s president, citing his two-term governorship and extensive professional experience, amid growing speculation about his interest in the 2027 general election.

Speaking during a media briefing in Ibadan on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Makinde revealed that his support for President Bola Tinubu in 2023 was regrettable, particularly after Tinubu rejected his nominee for a ministerial appointment.

“Let me be very clear: I am qualified — in fact, overqualified — to serve Nigeria at the highest level,” Makinde said. “I have governed Oyo State effectively, and look at the current president — he was a two-term governor before taking office. By May 2027, God willing, I will have completed my full tenure as a two-term governor of Oyo State.”

The governor also pointed to his corporate background, noting that he ran a company at age 29 and gained experience with multinational oil companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron, without relying on state institutions like NNPC.

While acknowledging that the 2027 elections are still more than a year away, Makinde stressed the importance of a strong democracy and robust opposition parties. He also criticised the recent wave of defections by governors and top politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that such moves could weaken Nigeria’s democratic progress.